FORM ASSOCIATIONS.

I think as a first and practical step towards this larger union it would be
desirable that wherever possible, in towns or districts, a few progressive
men should join together and form Progressive Associations, however small in
size, analogous to those now existing in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. It
page: 101 would then be desirable that these bodies
should enter into communication with each other, and draw up a body of
principles broad enough to make it possible for every really progressive
individual to subscribe to them, and distinct enough to make it quite
impossible for any thoroughly non-progressive person to enter the
organisation. These principles, I think, should be made the basis of all
future organisation.

As a second step, I think it would be advisable that, if possible, a delegate
should be appointed to visit each town and village in the Colony to attempt
to inaugurate a branch of our
page: 102
organisation, however small, in that place. The advantage of this course is
obvious. It is often difficult for any individual in a small Colonial town
to rise up and inaugurate a movement of any kind, unless he chance to be of
exceptional importance, monetarily or otherwise, in the place. In many towns
there may be even a large number of individuals, progressive at heart, who
would join such an organisation, and who would labour for it vigorously and
be able to extend its growth, who yet might not feel themselves in a
position to rise up and take the initiative in instating it.

It may be objected that, in
page: 103 places where
the branch would at first consist of only a dozen individuals, it would be
useless, and serve only to show the barrenness of the land!

But, firstly, while an organisation consisting of a dozen isolated
individuals in some town or village might be of small importance in itself,
connected as it would ultimately be with the organisations in larger towns
throughout the country, its strength would be largely increased; and it
would form the germ of what might in time become an extensive growth. It is
exactly that we may not lose these driblets of progressive thought and
feeling
page: 104 all over the Colony that I
would advocate the endeavour to start such small branch organisations.

If further it be asked, What the principles are which are broad enough to
unite all the Progressive Elements in the country? I think an answer will
not be very difficult.

There are one or two principles subscription to which will make a man a
Liberal and Progressive in any country in the world. Their practical
application will vary infinitely according to the conditions of the Society
in which they are applied; but they are as simple as universal.

page: 105

The fundamental principle¹ upon
which Progressive Liberalism all the world over is based, whether
consciously or unconsciously, and to which it must finally return if it
would justify its varying forms of practical action, is the axiom, however
variously worded, which asserts that the mental and physical welfare and
happiness of
hu-
humanity

¹ There is also that ancient categorical imperative which has lain
behind the Liberalism of all religious natures from the days of
Buddha and Confucius to that of Jesus and the Socialistic movement
of to-day—“Do ye unto others as ye would they should do unto
you”—and which, perhaps, after all, is the most satisfactory
statement of the fundamental principle of Liberalism yet
formulated.

page: 106 manity as a whole is the end of
all wisely directed human effort, whether of individuals or nations; that
one of the main aims of all government must be the defence of its weaker
members from the depredations of the stronger, and that no course of action
which bases the welfare of sections of the community on the sufferings and
loss of other sections is justifiable.

Analysis shows that it is upon this wide principle, however worded, that all
forms of Modern Liberalism are ultimately based. It is by their more or less
complete harmony with it that the thoroughness
page: 107 of their Liberalism may be tested. Nevertheless,
it is perhaps too wide a principle on which to base directly a practical
organisation intended for the many; more especially in a country where some
men's conceptions with regard to Liberal Progressivism are somewhat
indefinite—a prominent public man having declared that he considered himself
a Progressive because he voted for the construction of railways which would
be for his own pecuniary benefit.